Diascia plant named &#39;balwhisapt&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Diascia plant named ‘Balwhisapt’, characterized by its apricot colored flowers, spreading, trailing growth habit, and medium green foliage.

LATIN NAME OF GENUS AND SPECIES OF PLANT CLAIMED

[0001]Diascia barberae

VARIETY DENOMINATION

[0002] ‘Balwhisapt’

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention comprises a new and distinct Diascia plant, botanically known as Diascia barberae, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Balwhisapt’.

[0004] The new cultivar was developed by the inventor in a controlled breeding program during February 1999, at Elburn Ill. The objective of the breeding program was the development of Diascia cultivars with a well-branched, spreading growth habit, continuous flowering and medium green foliage.

[0005] The female (seed) parent of ‘Balwhisapt’ was the Diascia variety ‘Blackthorn Apricot’ (protection status unknown by the inventor), characterized by its apricot colored flowers. The male (pollen) parent of ‘Balwhisapt’ was the Diascia variety ‘Red Start’ (protection status unknown by the inventor), characterized by its red colored flowers, small leaves of a medium green color and upright, spreading growth habit. ‘Balwhisapt’ was discovered and selected in June 1999 as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the above stated cross and was designated 10713-2.

[0006] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar at West Chicago, Ill. was carried out by the use of terminal stem cuttings and has demonstrated that the characteristics of the new cultivar as herein described are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] It was found that the cultivar of the present invention:

[0008] (a) exhibits apricot colored flowers,

[0009] (b) forms foliage of a medium green color, and

[0010] (c) exhibits a spreading, trailing growth habit.

[0011] The new cultivar can be compared to the commercially available Diascia variety, Sun Chimes™ ‘Peach’ (nonpatented). In side-by-side comparison, plants of the new cultivar are taller and narrower, and have lighter pink flowers than those of Sun Chimes™ ‘Peach’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

[0012] The accompanying photographs show as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. The plants were grown for 11 weeks in a greenhouse at West Chicago, Ill.

[0013]FIG. 1 illustrates the overall growth habit of the new cultivar.

[0014]FIG. 2 illustrates a close up view of individual flowers of the new cultivar.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0015] The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature, light intensity, and day length. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England. The color values were determined on Apr. 24, 2002. The readings were taken between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. under natural daylight conditions. The plants were produced from cuttings taken from stock plants and were grown in a double polycarbonate covered greenhouse under conditions comparable to those used in commercial practice. The plants were grown for 9 weeks while utilizing a soilless growth medium and maintaining temperatures of approximately 62° to 75° F. (17° to 24° C.) during the day and approximately 52° to 60° F. (11° to 15° C.) during the night and light levels of 5,000 to 8,000 footcandles.

[0016] Classification:

[0017]Botanical.—Diascia barberae cultivar ‘Balwhisapt’.

[0018] Parentage:

[0019]Female parent.—Diascia variety ‘Blackthorn Apricot’.

[0020]Male parent.—Diascia variety ‘Red Start’.

[0021] Propagation:

[0022]Type cutting.—Terminal tip.

[0023]Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 14 to 21 days.

[0024]Root description.—Fibrous, branching.

[0025] Plant description:

[0026]Crop time.—Approximately 5 to 7 weeks from planting of rooted cuttings in a 10 cm pot.

[0027]Habit of growth.—Vigorous. Pinching improves branching. A mature plant, 9 weeks after the planting of a rooted cutting, measures approximately 33.2 cm in height and approximately 44.6 cm in width with approximately 6 main branches and 40.8 lateral flowering branches.

[0028]Form.—Spreading, trailing.

[0029]Lateral branch.—Shape: Square. Length: Approximately 14.8 cm. Diameter: Approximately 1.7 mm. Texture: Glabrous. Internode length at middle of branch: Approximately 2.2 cm. Color: 144A with overlay of 59A.

[0030]Foliage.—Type: Simple. Arrangement: Opposite. Shape: Sagittate. Margin: Serrate. Apex: Acute. Base: Sagittate. Texture: Glabrous, supple. Quantity per lateral branch: Approximately 10.8. Leaf length: Approximately 2.3 cm. Leaf width: Approximately 1.6 cm. Leaf orientation to stem: Acute. Leaf fragrance: None. Upper surface of mature foliage is 143A and lower surface is 147C. Upper and lower surfaces have palmate venation of 144C. Petiole length: Approximately 3 mm. Petiole diameter: Approximately 2 mm. Petiole color: 144C. Upper and lower surfaces of petiole are glabrous.

[0031] Flowering description:

[0032]Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.

[0033]Natural flowering season.—Year round in greenhouse environment and spring through autumn in outdoor garden.

[0034]Flower arrangement.—Terminal racemes.

[0035] Flower description:

[0036]Type.—Solitary, five lobed and zygomorphic.

[0037]Fragrance.—None.

[0038]Aspect.—Concave.

[0039]Corolla.—Width: Approximately 1.9 cm. Length: Approximately 2 cm. Depth: Approximately 4 mm.

[0040]Petals.—Number: Five, fused at base. Aspect: Cupped. Two upper petals: Length is approximately 5 mm, width is approximately 5 mm. Lateral petals: Length is approximately 7 mm, width is approximately 7 mm. Sharply curved nectar spurs form at base of each of the lateral petals. Nectar spur length: Approximately 8 mm. Nectar spur color: 38D. Lower petal: Length is approximately 1 cm, width is approximately 1.4 cm. All petals: Margin: Entire. Apex: Obtuse. Texture: Glabrous and iridescent. Color: Upper surface of upper petal is closest to 38B at margin, 47D at base with papillia of 60A in center at base. Lower surface of upper petal is 38C at margin, 47D at base. Upper surface of lateral petals is 38B at margin, 47D at base. Lower surface of lateral petals is 38C at margin, 47D at base. Upper surface of lower petal is 38B. Lower surface of lower petal is 38C.

[0041]Sepals.—Quantity: 5. Shape: Lanceolate. Length: Approximately 3 mm. Width: Approximately 1 mm. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Calyx shape: Star. Calyx length: Approximately 3 mm. Calyx diameter: Approximately 6 mm. Calyx texture: Densely pubescent with glands of 83B on outer surface. Inner surface is glabrous. Color of outer surface is 143B. Color of inner surface is 143D.

[0042]Pedicels.—Length: Approximately 1.8 cm. Diameter: Less than 1 mm. Texture: Moderate glandular pubescence. Color: 59A.

[0043]Peduncle.—Length: Approximately 5.2 cm. Diameter: Approximately 1.4 mm. Aspect: At acute angle to branch. Texture: Glabrous. Color: 144A with overlay of 59A.

[0044]Bud.—Shape: Oval, flat. Length: Approximately 4.6 mm in length. Diameter: Approximately 6.4 mm. Color: 38C.

[0045]Reproductive organs.—Androecium: There are 4 stamens. Anther shape: Square. Anther length: is less than 1 mm. Anther color: 12C. Pollen is abundant and 14B in color. Gynoecium: There is one pistil, 5 mm in length. Stigma shape: Round. Stigma length: Less than 1 mm. Stigma color: 149D, transparent. The style length is approximately 2 mm and the color is 145A. Ovary length is approximately 2 mm and color is N144D.

[0046] Seed production: Seed production has not been observed.

[0047] Disease resistance: Resistance to pathogens has not been observed.

[0048] Hardiness zone: ‘Balwhisapt’ is hardy in zones nine (9) and above. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Diascia barberae plant named ‘Balwhisapt’ substantially as herein shown and described, which: (a) exhibits apricot colored flowers, (b) forms medium green foliage, and (c) exhibits a spreading and trailing growth habit. 